World Malbec Day 2018 has come and gone and I feel compelled to continue the celebration and make it world Malbec month. Here are reviews on my Malbec consumption of late. Enjoy!

2013 Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina

Five years into this wines’ journey from the vine to drinking time, the wine is fine.  Floral scents of purple flowers, and a hint of mint keep the aromas fresh. Plum and spice flavors with a slight nuance of raspberry float onto the palate with dark notes of licorice and clove.  The soft tannins pleasantly present on the lengthy finish.

Rating: 89 | $20 | 15.1% ABV

2014 Bodegas Norton Reserva Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine has been my go-to bottling for easy to find, high-quality Malbec for decades. The 2014 Argentinian harvest was plagued with late season rain and some producers did not fare as well as others. That being said, this 2014 Norton Reserva Malbec still maintains the quality one can expect from this producer. Beginning with aromas of chocolate and dark fruit, there is also plenty of pepper and red fruit followed by forward acidity making this a great wine for big beefy flavors.

Rating: 87 | $16 | 13.5% ABV

2014 Bodegas Vinedos Luminis Allamand Malbec, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

Refined, racy and sophisticated, this wines’ silky mouthfeel starts the pleasure party and does not stop until the last drop drains from the bottle. All the usual suspects appear in the aromas and flavors—plums, cherries, violet floral, cherry pie, and chocolate.

Rating: 90 | $15 | 14.0% ABV

2014 Bodegas Colome Malbec, Salta, Argentina

Since 2009, I have tasted every vintage of Malbec made by Colome’s winemaker Thibaut Delmotte without one disappointment. The fruit for this wine is sourced from some of the highest elevation vineyards in the world, where insects are rarely seen, and pesticides are not necessary. Floral violet aromas waft from the glass leading to flavors of red fruit, white pepper and minimally processed cocoa. The finish is smooth and representative of the 21 months of aging (15 months on oak and 6 months in the bottle) this wine sees before being released.  Light the grill and take time to chill; Colome Malbec will facilitate both those actions with ease.

Rating: 91 | $24 | 14.9% ABV

2015 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec, Terroir Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

This un-oaked Malbec from Altos Las Hormigas is fermented in stainless steel and aged one year in concrete vats before bottling. This method helps deliver a fresh Malbec wine that represents the varietal well. Notes of brambly sage give way to aromas of cherry with a slight citrus nuance. The flavors are deep red berry fruit and the hot stone minerality comes through on the finish.

Rating: 88 | $18 | 13.5% ABV

2015 Kaiken Ultra Malbec. Mendoza, Argentina

The team at Vina Montes seems to do magic with this Kaiken Ultra Malbec when it comes to consistently, delivering a well-made, exciting, tasty wine. Vintage after vintage, Kaiken continues to deliver an ultra-plush final product. Star Anise, and a hint of fresh ginger join the aromatic profile of red fruit, and cocoa. The flavors carry most of the same notes as the aromas, and the formidable finish is long and rich, with enticing savory notes of minerality. Wood roasted meats and mushrooms will go well with this wine.

Rating: 90 | $20 | 14.5% ABV

2015 Argento Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

A very big bold wine that rises above the plethora of average Malbec wines hitting the retailers’ shelves these days. An alluring bouquet cherry pastry, sun heated wet stones, and dried sage. Robust red plum, chocolate and a nuance of freshly harvested tobacco notes come across on the palate with a soft sultry finish. If there was ever a wine that makes a Bacon Cheeseburger taste like more than the sum of its parts, it is this Argento Malbec.

Rating: 88 | $15 | 13.5% ABV

2015 Bodega Benegas Estate Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

The wine exhibited mild red fruit and vanilla in the aromas with chocolate, spice and dark cherry on the palate. The finish was smooth with a slight tarry edge. This wine has reached the peak of its aging potential; I recommend consumption prior to 2020.

Rating: 87 | $20 | 14.5% ABV

2015 Finca Sophenia Malbec, Reserva Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina

Plenty of red fruit and dried herbs in the aromas, the flavors lean towards Morello cherries and black plum, with a nuance of anise. On the acid forward finish there is a note of slate. This is a calling all cuisines kind of wine with good acidity that cuts through, and thoroughly cleanses your palate.

Rating: 88 | $18 | 13.5% ABV

2015 Bodegas Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina

This Malbec delivers sophistication and finesse not usually associated with wines at this price point. Floral notes of violet lead the aromatic profile, and the cherry chocolate palate is spiced with toasty black pepper.  Despite having very low residual sugar, the wine has a sweet mouthfeel that is very desirable.

Rating: 91 | $20 | 14.0% ABV

2015 Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina

The name Remolinos refers to the unique (tiny whirlwinds) micro-climate of this vineyard. This wine is 100% Malbec, and was aged 12 months in French Oak plus another year in bottle affording it elegant flavors of rich red currants, and a finish that hovers with focused nuances of fresh crushed white pepper.

Rating: 90 | $20 | 14.1% ABV

2015 Domino Del Plata Susana Balbo Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Made from 95% Malbec, and 5% Bonarda, Susana Balbo has delivered another rich balanced Malbec. The lush flavors lean towards raspberry, and finish with a hint of wet stone. Grilled lamb will pair well with this delicious wine.

Rating: 88 | $15 | 14.5% ABV

2015 Humberto Canale Demario Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina

Humberto Canale grows these vines located in Patagonia Argentina; it is one of the southernmost producing regions in the world. The temperature variance from day to night is dramatic, producing grapes of complex character. Red fruit aromas of super-ripe strawberries nuanced with floral, flavors bring the usual Malbec players plum, cherry, chocolate and spice. The oak aging delivers notes of coconut and vanilla on the finish.

Rating: 87 | $14 | 13.9% ABV

2016 Amalaya Malbec Esperanza Por Un Milagro, Salta, Argentina

This Argentinian producer is part of the highly regarded Hess Collection of wineries. This vintage is a blend of 85% Malbec, 10% Tanat, and 5% Petit Verdot. The fruit is grown in Salta at almost 6000 ft. elevation where the sun shines bright and the air is clean. Those two descriptors (bright and clean) accurately describe this wine—plenty of red, and black fruits in the bouquet, and on the palate finishing with a good dose of black pepper and licorice.

Rating: 90 | $14 | 13.9% ABV

2016 Bodega Amalma P15 Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina

These vines are now 15 years old and they are showing improvement in complexity and depth of flavors. 100 % Malbec, the fruit is vibrant and fresh, as this wine is aged in stainless, not wood.  Delivering plum flavors with balanced acidity, the wine represents the varietal and the region well.

Rating: 86 | $11 | 14.0% ABV

2016 Pascual Toso Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

2016 was a pretty tough year in Argentina for most regions and that includes Mendoza. That being said, this producer made a solid Malbec with floral aromas of white and red fruit on the palate. The red theme continues along with blackberry and anise.

Rating: 89 | $15 | 13.5% ABV